OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against a union that has led protests at a new Port of Longview grain terminal.
U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Leighton said Thursday there is substantial evidence that local authorities are unable to control the misconduct of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. He’s ordered union protesters to stop blocking access to the facility and to stop all threats, violence and property damage.
The union wants the terminal manager to use ILWU workers. The company has been working with a contractor that is staffing the terminal with laborers from a different union.
ILWU official Leal Sundet called the ruling a victory because it didn’t impose all the picketing limits sought by the National Labor Relations Board.
